Roma, the number one best film of 2018 according to Time magazine, The New York Times, Rolling Stone and countless others, was released in theaters this week. Somewhat surprising and definitely reflective of the times, Roma will debut on your home Netflix the following Friday, December 14.
This scheduling begs a tricky question: Should “the best film of the year” be seen at home or in the theater?
Your decision should take a few items into account including the director — and your screen at home. Writer, director and cinematographer Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity, Y Tu Mamá También, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) has assembled a stunning film with meticulously shot images and precise sound design that may lose some impact on a laptop with headphones, but should screen well on home theater screens with a quality home theater audio system. The wonder of this film is in the small details, so you’ll need either a theater screen or a home screen that delivers.
In favor of watching at home, I should note that Roma is an intimate and personal story, told from the point of view of Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a 1970s housekeeper to a middle class family in Mexico City. Similar to a Richard Linklater (Boyhood, Before Sunrise) film, there is very little plot. It’s a story told through the senses and a series of moments in life. Items that are usually in the background are in the foreground here — not unlike the 1970s housekeeper experience.
I would also factor in your ability to watch a black and white film — in Spanish — at home. I didn’t love Roma above all pictures this year, but I felt as if I was invited to see a moment in time in a world I won’t soon forget. Don’t miss out on this if you’re apt to multitask or snooze on the couch.
The decision? If you live a city with art-house theaters, have a MoviePass and want to fully enjoy one of the strongest movies of the year, then the effort to experience Roma in the theater will surely pay off. If the holidays have cut into your free time, the quantity of quality movies in the theater in December have cut into your budget, you're iffy on art-house foreign films in general, or you just can’t wait, I believe watching it at home will be rewarding as well.
In a nutshell: The only poor choice is to miss out on Roma completely.
Award potential: Did not qualify for Golden Globe Best Picture and doesn't fit the model for the SAG Best Ensemble award, but is a front runner for Oscars Best Picture and Best Foreign Language Film — unless the Netflix association has a backlash.
Yalitza Aparicio is on many Best Actress prediction lists, but it's a competitive year to reward a non-showy newcomer in a Spanish-speaking film. She may get overlooked with both Oscars and SAG.
Roma has already won both the L.A. critics and New York Film Critics Best Picture awards, BIFA's Best International Independent Film award and the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
The Ten Buck Review: Worth ten bucks — in the theater or towards a monthly Netflix subscription.
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